The Right To Information (RTI) Act has revealed shocking instances of corruption and ineffective governance. But, citizens have also used this Act to gather information about different aspects of their immediate surroundings or their day-to-day lives. Here are some examples:
Rickshawpuller gets funds to build his house after filing an RTI
Mazloom Nadaf, a 77-year old rickshaw puller in Bihar, built his house after using the Right to Information Act. Although his house was promised under the Indira Aawas Yojana, the country’s national housing scheme, it took him many years to avail its benefits. In fact, five years after applying as a potential beneficiary, the authorities asked for Rs 5,000 to process his application. At this point he refused to buckle down and fought the system by filing an RTI application. In his application, Nadaf asked for a progress report on the Indira Awas Yojana and when he would be given the funds promised to him. When the Block Development Officer received the RTI application, he called Nadaf and gave him the first installment of Rs 15,000.
Source: Central Information Commission
Better road for Bagepalli
Bagepalli is a small town 100 km north of Bangalore, with tree-lined, tarmac roads. Some officials thought Bagepalli needed a double road, one that can accommodate traffic moving in opposite directions. Construction started in 2005 and the shoddy, unprofessional work led to road accidents and deaths. An NGO worker used the RTI Act to find out the truth behind Bagepalli’s roads. The information revealed that nearly Rs 1.32 crore was sanctioned for widening the road but no work was done on it. When confronted, the junior engineer apologized and promised to fix the road. Thanks to the RTI Act, this work is finally being completed.
Source: Central Information Commission
Voices raised over overcrowding in jails through RTI
The response to an RTI query filed by NCPRI worker Raja John Bunch revealed that the total number of prisoners lodged in state jails is more than the maximum number of prisoners they can support. In March 2013, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre and all states giving them five weeks' time to respond to a PIL which said that 64.7% of the total prison population of the country comprises of undertrials.
Source: rtiday.com
Man files an RTI application to enquire about passport
Dilshad Hussain runs a small business in Delhi. In February 2011, he applied for a passport because he wanted to visit his relatives in Mecca. But he had to wait for ten months for the document and then he had to visit the passport office many times over. Had Hussain not filed an RTI, it would have taken much longer for the passport to reach him. In a Times of India report he says, “After my ordeal, I wonder how ordinary people get their work done in government offices. RTI is a boon for all of us.”
Source: Times of India
In the last 20 years, only three full-time women faculty members at FTII
Between January 1993 and 2013, only three women have been appointed as full-time faculty members at the country’s premier film institute, Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). Information sought under the Right To Information (RTI) Act has also revealed that the 21 full-time faculty members currently working at FTII don’t include a single woman.
Source: Indian Express
Nine-year-old files an RTI for his lost bicycle
When nine-year-old Pranav’s bicycle was stolen, he went to file an FIR report. But the police refused to file it until it got a purchase receipt and proof that the bicycle was stolen. Pranav then used the RTI Act, shooting a letter to Delhi’s Deputy Commissioner of Police asking why his complaint wasn't registered. He also asked for a compensation of Rs 2,500. Pranav’s repeated attempts forced the police to act. They came to his house to inquire about the theft and an FIR was finally registered. Pranav might not have got his cycle back, but he has certainly proved a point.
Source: rtiday.com
RTI finds that 30 hospitals in Ludhiana don’t have parking arrangements
In an application filed under the RTI Act, Ludhiana-based Rohit Sabharwal, obtained information that 30 city hospitals don’t have parking arrangements, which is violation of building bylaws. Sabharwal says, “I asked them to provide information showing the details of action taken against the violation made by these hospitals. But the municipal corporation does not have any record of taking action against these hospitals.”
Source: Hindustan Times